Maternity Leave by Country
Compare statutory maternity and parental leave across 12 countries. See total weeks, paid weeks, pay rates and paternity leave side by side.
International Maternity & Parental Leave
Compare statutory maternity, paternity, and parental leave by country
Data is current as of 2026. Regulations may vary based on employment type, tenure, and eligibility. Government funding and employer obligations vary significantly by country.
Comparison Table
| Country | Total Leave (weeks) | Paid Leave (weeks) | Pay Rate | Paternity Leave (weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 480 | 384 | 80% (standard) | 240 |
| Canada | 96 | 50 | 55% (standard) or 33% (extended) | 35 |
| United Kingdom | 52 | 39 | 90% for 6 weeks, flat rate £184/week for 33 weeks | 2 |
| Australia | 20 | 20 | 100% (minimum wage) | 2 |
| Germany | 234 | 14 | 100% for 14 weeks (Elternzeit extends unpaid) | 14 |
| United States | None | None | 0% | None |
Sweden
Very GenerousMaternity Leave
480 weeks total
Paid Weeks
384 weeks
Pay Rate
80% (standard)
Funded By
Government
Paternity / Partner Leave
240 weeks
480 days (68-69 weeks) shared between parents, 80% of income covered
Canada
GenerousMaternity Leave
96 weeks total
Paid Weeks
50 weeks
Pay Rate
55% (standard) or 33% (extended)
Funded By
Government (Employment Insurance)
Paternity / Partner Leave
35 weeks
15 weeks maternity + 35-61 weeks parental (flexible between parents)
United Kingdom
ModerateMaternity Leave
52 weeks total
Paid Weeks
39 weeks
Pay Rate
90% for 6 weeks, flat rate £184/week for 33 weeks
Funded By
Employer + Government
Paternity / Partner Leave
2 weeks
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) available to eligible employees
Australia
ModerateMaternity Leave
20 weeks total
Paid Weeks
20 weeks
Pay Rate
100% (minimum wage)
Funded By
Employer
Paternity / Partner Leave
2 weeks
National Employment Standards. Unpaid parental leave available up to 12 months.
Germany
GenerousMaternity Leave
234 weeks total
Paid Weeks
14 weeks
Pay Rate
100% for 14 weeks (Elternzeit extends unpaid)
Funded By
Employer + Elterngeld (State)
Paternity / Partner Leave
14 weeks
14 weeks maternity protection. Elterngeld (parental benefit) available for up to 3 years.
United States
MinimalMaternity Leave
No statutory leave
Pay Rate
0%
Funded By
N/A
FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid for eligible employees
Key Insights
Most Generous Leave:
Sweden offers the most paid leave
Paid vs. Unpaid:
1 countries have no statutory paid leave
Parental Leave Flexibility:
Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark) and Canada offer flexible parental leave that can be shared between parents
Work-Life Balance:
Total statutory leave (maternity + paternity) varies from 0 weeks in the US to over 1 year in Nordic countries
Important Notes:
- Data represents statutory minimums. Many employers offer more generous benefits.
- Eligibility requirements vary (length of service, employment type, salary thresholds)
- Some countries allow unpaid leave beyond paid entitlements
- Exchange rates and regional variations apply in some countries
- Regulations change periodically - always verify with official government sources
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